Hungary is known for offering top-quality education at very affordable costs. This is one of the main reasons why over 28,000 international students from all over the world choose to study at a Hungarian university every year.
If you want to join them, it’s best to explore how much money you need to cover your tuition fees and living costs.
Let’s find out!
1. University tuition fees in Hungary
Tuition fees at public universities
Public Hungarian universities are much more affordable when compared to their Western counterparts. As an international student, you can expect to pay:
- between 1,200–5,000 EUR/year for most degrees
- between 12,000–16,000 EUR/year for Medicine and Dentistry degrees
Notice: most higher education institutions in Hungary require students to pay these fees before their enrolment.
Tuition fees at private universities
It is common for private universities to charge higher tuition fees. As always, we recommend visiting the official university page to discover how much you need to pay.
Keep in mind that both public and private universities are free to decide if they charge the same tuition to EU and non-EU citizens. Sometimes, non-EU citizens pay higher fees.
Most affordable universities in Hungary
- University of Dunaújváros – Bachelors start at 0 EUR/year (only for EU/EEA citizens)
- Pázmány Péter Catholic University – Masters start at 0 EUR/year (only for EU/EEA citizens)
- Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary – Masters start at 1,000 EUR/year
- Eötvös Loránd University – Bachelors start at 1,600 EUR/year
We’ve created this list based on the study programmes available on our portals. This means you can find other cheap universities and degrees, so don’t settle.
Universities we recommend in Hungary
Check out the best universities in Hungary according to global rankings.
2. Student living costs in Hungary
The average costs of living in Hungary range between 375 and 700 EUR depending on your spending habits and type of accommodation.
The Hungarian forint (HUF) is the official currency. At the time of writing this article, 364 forints equal 1 EUR.
3. Student accommodation costs
There are several types of accommodation from which international students can choose:
- University dormitory: under 100 EUR/month. In addition to being the cheapest option, they also allow students to know each other, socialise, and build friendships.
- Private dormitory: under 200 EUR/month and only available in some cities. The facilities are usually better when compared to those in university dormitories.
- Privately rented flat: 275–635 EUR/month based on the city and area where you live. The initial deposit (two months’ rent) and monthly utilities represent additional expenses.
4. Food costs in Hungary
Depending on your lifestyle, food and groceries will cost between 115 and 150 EUR per month. Let’s look at some of the average prices for food products in Hungary:
- 1 loaf of bread: 0.65 EUR
- 1 litre of milk: 0.65 EUR
- 12 eggs: 0.90 EUR
- 1 kg of apples: 1.15 EUR
- 1 kg of bananas: 1.20 EUR
- 1 meal at affordable restaurants: 5.25 EUR
Check out other living costs in Hungary.
5. Transportation costs
- monthly public transport pass: 10–15 EUR, discounted for students
- bike-sharing system (only in Budapest): 22 EUR/semester
- taxi: starting fee of 1.95 EUR; around 0.85 EUR per km
6. Extra costs in Hungary
- entertainment (e.g. cinema, concerts, theatre): 20–35 EUR/month
- private medical insurance: usually needed by non-EU citizens; the monthly cost varies depending on the length of your stay and the type of medical services which are included
7. University scholarships and grants
As an international student, you can further reduce your expenses by applying for one of the various scholarships available in Hungary:
- Stipendium Hungaricum
- Bilateral State Scholarships
- Erasmus+
- CEEPUS
- EEA Grants Scholarships
You can also search for other scholarships or apply for our Studyportals Scholarship.